METHADONE CLINIC HAS FIRST PATIENTS

A Methadone Clinic At Lake Of The Woods District Hospital Is Soon To Be
Officially Up And Running.

A methadone clinic at Lake of the Woods District Hospital is soon to be
officially up and running.

The clinic, the first at the hospital, already has 18 patients starting on
the program being run by Dr. Sean Moore, chief of staff, and Dr. Hanna
Hulsbosch.

Methadone is an opiate drug treatment to help eliminate addictions to drugs
like heroine and oxycontin. The powder is mixed with juice and taken orally
by patients in front of a pharmacist daily. This program is unique, said
Hulsbosch, because it not only provides the methadone it also provides
support services.

"We're trying to do a full primary care," Hulsbosch said.

The program offers counseling services to help people get their lives back
on track and full medical attention to get the people involved back to a
normal functioning state. Hulsbosch said most of the patients are already
getting back to a normal life. Many have gotten jobs within the community
and now have housing.

"We can stabilize them to set the right dose so they can do anything anyone
else can do," said Moore.

The patients take a urine test every week and are constantly monitored on
the program. Patients can stay on it for several years but most are weaned
off within a couple of years -- it's customized to each person's needs.

"This is really useful and necessary," said Dr. Pete Sarsfield, member of
the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Board.

The board showed concern the two doctors running the clinic may overwork
themselves, but the doctors said they are working on a plan to avoid burn out.